Danica may drive Wallace's car at Rolex 24

'I want to do the race, so if he lets me, I’m in,' Patrick says

	Indy Car driver Danica Patrick, right, reviews computer data with a member of the crew during a test session at Daytona International Speedway. Patrick is in Daytona preparing for this month's Rolex 24 Grand American Sports Car Series race.
Brian Cleary / AP

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JT The Brick

updated 4:18 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2006

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Danica Patrick turned about 20 laps at Daytona International Speedway during the first day of testing in preparation for this month’s Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Patrick tested the No. 2 Howard-Boss Motorsports Pontiac Crawford on Thursday with an eye toward competing in the twice-around-the clock event, held Jan. 28-29. She is sharing the car at the test with recently retired NASCAR star Rusty Wallace.

The 1989 NASCAR champion has officially announced his participation in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and has invited Patrick to join the team, which will also include American road racing stalwart Boris Said, and Scottish sports car ace Allan McNish.

Story continues below ↓

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“We’re going to get (Patrick) in the car and get her some time, and see if she likes driving the car,” Wallace said. “It’s kind of up to her if she wants to be the fourth driver in the car. She’s got the invitation, there’s no doubt about that, but we feel like were going to have a good, winning team, and we feel like were organized.”

Patrick appeared ready to accept the invitation.

“I want to run it,” Patrick said. “If it’s up to me, and he’s leaving it open, I’d love to run this race. I think it’s one of those races that you just need to stay consistent. Even with what I was doing out there, I was able to still not drop too far off in lap times with traffic. As soon as I pick up my speed on the track, hopefully that’ll stay consistent with traffic. I want to do the race, so if he lets me, I’m in.”

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Neither Wallace nor Patrick has ever competed in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, but both drivers have had a long-standing interest in participating on the 3.56-mile road course that incorporates much of the Daytona International Speedway oval.